US-Israeli Strikes Decapitate Iranian Leadership; Power Shifts to IRGC Security Elite

US-Israeli forces launched Operation Epic Fury to decapitate Iran's leadership.

Strikes killed at least 201 Iranians including Supreme Leader Khamenei and President Pezeshkian.

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The UN condemned the campaign's indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks.

Iran retaliated by closing the Strait of Hormuz and expanding missile strikes regionally.

Despite decapitation strikes, Iran's political system proved resilient.

Authority had shifted to a de facto collective leadership including the IRGC.

BBC

Mojtaba Khamenei's rise is unlikely to alter this balance.

Airpower and strikes alone have not proven sufficient to bring about collapse.

The White House moved to invalidate Iran's maritime and energy leases.

The move targets the southern port of Jask and offshore blocks near Kish and Kharg.

This marks a shift from kinetic operations to economic control.

Trump's threats backfired as the UAE and Qatar moved to exit the coalition.

These defections are significant blows to the US-Israeli campaign.

CBS News

Regional actors are balancing relationships with Washington against destabilizing Iran.

Trump's push for an emergency budget scored only modest gains.

“Despite unprecedented strikes and leadership losses, the Islamic Republic remains intact”

ISPI

Only 27% of Americans approved the strikes according to AP.

ISPI

Republican Senate Leader Thune warned Trump cannot withdraw NATO without congressional approval.